Iranian President's daughter Zahra Pezeshkian admires the art of Bagh print at Bharat Mandapam
At the 'BRICS Bazaar' of the 18th BRICS Summit, Zahra Pezeshkian showed keen curiosity about the natural dyes of Dhar's world-famous Bagh print and tried hand-block printing herself.
A moment of great pride for India and Madhya Pradesh came from the 'BRICS Bazaar' at the 18th BRICS Summit, held at the grand Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The visit of Zahra Pezeshkian, daughter of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, was a special highlight of the summit. Showing a deep interest in India's traditional handicrafts, she paid a special visit to the stall of renowned Bagh print artisans Mohammed Bilal Khatri and Kazim Khatri, and spent considerable time there.
Zahra Pezeshkian takes a close look at the art of natural dyes
At the stall, Zahra Pezeshkian examined the handmade Bagh print textiles and their artistic details up close. With great curiosity and attention to detail she asked, 'How is the black colour in Bagh print made?', and learned about the traditional, scientific process of making dyes from natural materials.
Reflecting her love for the craft, she dipped a traditional wooden block into the dye with her own hands and printed Bagh motifs onto fabric, experiencing the process first-hand. Zahra appeared deeply impressed by this unique, living craft and by the authenticity of its natural colours.
Mohammed Bilal Khatri honours her with a Bagh print angavastram
Moved by the warm, art-loving spirit of the Iranian President's daughter, Mohammed Bilal Khatri, a recipient of the Government of India's National Award, gave her a special civic welcome. He presented Zahra with a magnificent traditional Bagh print angavastram (stole) as a gift. Receiving this token of Indian textile tradition, artistry and heartfelt respect, she looked delighted and visibly moved.
Dhar's world-famous Bagh print shines at the BRICS Bazaar
At the 'BRICS Bazaar' of the 18th BRICS Summit, this historic heritage of Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) is being showcased to the world through live demonstrations by National Award winner Mohammed Bilal Khatri and his brother, State Award winner Mohammed Kazim Khatri.
Heads of state and senior foreign delegates from several countries attending the summit also visited the Khatri brothers' stall. The delegates not only praised the craft but also used specially made wooden blocks bearing the 'BRICS' logo to print fabric themselves, taking the pieces home as souvenirs.
Indian culture flies high on the global stage
Speaking about this historic achievement, Mohammed Bilal Khatri said:
Showcasing Bagh print on a global platform like the 18th BRICS Summit, and connecting delegates from around the world, including Zahra Pezeshkian, the daughter of Iran's President, with the art of our soil is a great honour. When global personalities printed with the blocks themselves, understood the dyeing process and praised it, we felt that the hard work of generations had paid off.
— Mohammed Bilal Khatri
Made with natural dyes and finely carved wooden blocks, Bagh print has always been part of Madhya Pradesh's identity. At the BRICS Bazaar, among artisans and guests from countries such as Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Vietnam, Iran, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Belarus and Ethiopia, India's Bagh print left an indelible mark.
